February 21, 2012

From nbc26.com: “New Marine Training Center” — Marinette, WI – Teaching the trade. Monday, Marinette Marine and N.W.T.C. cut the ribbon on their new training facility. It’s designed specifically for the shipping industry, and leaders hope it will fill a shortage at the shipyards.

When Marinette Marine got the multi-million dollar defense contract, The shipbuilder knew it would have to deliver. And Monday, a new classroom, close to the shipyards, is designed to do just that.

In this brand-new classroom, students are getting on-the-job training.

“They’re gonna do electrical, pipe-fitters, shipfitters. It’s gonna be the gamut of every skill we need,” said Chuck Goddard, President and CEO of Marinette Marine Corporation.

“Responding to skill shortages that are specific to those companies. And as partners we can design programs, we can design training,” said Dr. H. Jeffrey Rafn, President of N.W.T.C.

And Monday, they dedicated the North Coast Marine Manufacturing Training Center.

“There’s no question the technical colleges are going to be the solution to our workforce problem. And to see this kind of collaboration, is a very good best-practice for us,” said Paul Jadin, CEO Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

It’s a long-time partnership. Both political parties working on many levels, to get it done.

“Our employers in shipbuilding before this major expansion had about 2,000 workers. With this major expansion, we’re talking, 3,000-3,500 just in Northeast Wisconsin,” said Rafn.

And for the City of Marinette,

“People are looking forward, ahead. There is a buzz. For people that don’t understand what’s happening here, this is just great,” said Robert Harbick, Marinette Mayor.

The sessions can accommodate about 35 students at any given time. The tech center has been open for about a month.